Bush and Saddam equal threat: Brits

US President George W Bush represents as great a threat to world peace as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, a poll of Britons said.

The poll for the London-based Sunday Times found that when asked who was the biggest threat to peace, 45 per cent answered the US president - exactly the same number as named the Iraqi dictator.

The poll found 47 per cent regarded the United States as a bully compared with 27 per cent who thought it was a force for good, while just 34 per cent said they admired the US as against 54 per cent who did not.

The poll also showed support for British Prime Minister Tony Blair continued to slump amid the preparations for war.

It put his ruling Labour party at 35 per cent, just two points ahead of the Conservatives at 33 per cent, with the Liberal Democrats at 25 per cent.");document.write("